Smaller pow-wow to be held instead of Schmetizun

A smaller cultural social gathering will be held in the stead of Schemitzun, the annual Native American pow-wow that costs the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation a million dollars to mount.

Schemitzun has been sponsored by the Pequot tribe since 1991, and today vendors, tribal members, sponsors, employees were notified the large-scale Schemitzun has been cancelled.

The pow-wow held in its place will be on the grounds of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum, and will cost the tribe less than $50,000, said Marjorie Colebut-Jackson, former Schemitzun chair and tribal member.

It is the tribe’s hope that visitors will be able to enjoy the Mashantucket Pequot Museum as well as the cultural aspects of East coast Indians, said Colebut-Jackson.

The cost-saving move was made in February of this year. The decision, said Colebut-Jackson, didn’t come without regret, but was made because of declining visitors in the past three years – especially from native Indian tribes traveling from the West Coast due to high gas prices - as well as the weak economy.

“There’s a lot of misconception about the tribe canceling tradition, and we have to make it clear we aren’t canceling our tradition – it doesn’t have to be at a million dollar price tag,” said Colebut-Jackson.

The event will still attract other tribal nations en route to New York, and feature the popular dancing that has been a large draw of Schemitzun – though the popular rodeo has been canceled.

In addition, Colebut-Jackson said that the pow-wow will bring a Pequot tribal village to life on museum grounds with preparation of food, danc